By Terry Maddaford
After less than six months in England, 15-year-old Rory Fallon is a million-pound man.
Former Mt Albert Grammar schoolboy Fallon, whose parents, Kevin and Mere live in Murrays Bay, Auckland, is just days away from making his debut for England's under-16 team in an away soccer friendly against Turkey
in January.
He will be rubbing shoulders with the best, including five youngsters from Manchester United, three from Liverpool and others from premier league clubs.
Fallon was expected to make his international debut earlier this month against Scotland - he qualifies as his father is English - but was sidelined with a medial ligament injury.
His proud father, who is preparing the New Zealand under-17 side for next year's World Youth championships, said Rory's selection was a fantastic achievement for a player who joined English first-division club Barnsley only in June.
"The club has been great and he has done really well," Kevin Fallon said. "To make it like this - especially as a striker - is amazing.
"Their youth development officer, Colin Walker, told me that if one of the big clubs came after him now they [Barnsley] would want a million pounds for him. That's unbelievable and a real feather in New Zealand soccer's cap."
Pictured: Rory Fallon
